Lazarus was dead for four days before Jesus raised him from the dead. The Gospel of John specifically states that when Jesus arrived at Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days

. This four-day period is significant because, according to Jewish belief at the time, the spirit was thought to remain near the body for up to three days after death, so by the fourth day, death was considered certain and irreversible

. After being raised by Jesus, Lazarus lived for some time afterward, with traditions suggesting he lived another 30 years before dying a second time